Limited “Essential” International Flights to Resume Starting August 1

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Location: Cabo Verde

Event: Limited “Essential” International Flights to Resume Starting August 1

The Government of Cabo Verde announced on July 27 that limited “essential” international flights will resume as of August 1, 2020.  Flights from Praia and Mindelo to Portugal will reportedly be operated by TAP, SATA, and Cabo Verde Airlines.  A negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test is required within 72 hours of boarding a flight.  Please contact the airlines directly for flight details, to make a reservation, and to confirm testing requirements.

As of July 29, there were 654 active COVID-19 cases in Cabo Verde.   Cabo Verde remains under a “State of Calamity” and social distancing measures remain in place for all of Cabo Verde.  Increased international and inter-island travel may lead to increased cases.  The government has established health cordons in some places to help isolate cases where feasible.

International Flights

Starting August 1 there will reportedly be weekly flights operating from Praia (Nelson Mandela International Airport – RAI) and Mindelo (Cesária Évora International Airport – VXE) to Portugal operated by TAP, SATA, and Cabo Verde Airlines.  The flights are open to individuals traveling for “essential” reasons, which include business, family, education, or professional purposes.  Tourism is not considered an “essential” reason.

Travelers on these flights must have a negative Covid-19 PCR-RT test within 72 hours to gain entry to Cabo Verde or Portugal.  Please contact the airline directly to book a reservation and confirm details regarding COVID-19 testing requirements.  Aside from the COVID-19 test requirement, the Cabo Verdean government has not yet finalized its policy on health screening for international travelers arriving by air.

The U.S. Embassy in Praia does not anticipate organizing another repatriation flight to the United States.  U.S. citizens interested in returning to the United States should contact one of the airlines listed above to make travel arrangements.

Inter-island Travel

As of July 15, inter-island passenger flights and maritime transportation resumed between all islands.  For available flights, please visit https://www.ticv.cv.  For the latest ferry schedule, please visit https://www.cvinterilhas.cv/routesschedules.

Passengers traveling from the islands of Sal, Santiago, and São Nicalou are required to undergo a rapid COVID-19 test 72 hours prior to flight departure and present a declaration showing a negative test result at the time of check-in.  All passengers are also required to fill out a Health Surveillance Survey prior to departure.

Required Use of Face Coverings and Availability of Supplies

Cabo Verde remains under a “State of Calamity” designation with certain restrictions on businesses and public areas, including restrictions on beach access and restaurant operations.  Additionally, under Cabo Verdean law, all individuals outside their home are required to wear a face covering.  U.S. citizens are reminded that all Cabo Verdean laws and regulations apply to them, and they could be arrested or fined for failure to abide accordingly.

Food and supplies are being delivered to all islands, and DHL continues to facilitate international shipping.  Please visit local pharmacies to refill necessary medications and arrange shipment of any required items from the United States.

COVID-19 Cases in Cabo Verde

As of July 29, Cabo Verde had 2,373 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including on Boa Vista (57), Sal (435), Santiago (1,818), Santo Antão (4), Sao Nicolau (44), São Vicente (13), and Maio (2) of which 654 were active.  Only the islands of Fogo and Brava have not recorded a confirmed case.  Additional information is available at https://covid19.cv.

STEP and Emergency Consular Services

Announcements with new health and travel information for U.S. citizens and LPRs overseas are shared via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which is the Embassy’s primary means for communicating this information to American citizens, as well as on the Embassy’s internet site and Facebook page.  We urge any U.S. citizen or LPR seeking assistance to enroll in STEP as soon as possible, or ensure that their current enrollment remains up to date, so that they have immediate access to the latest information.

Effective March 19, 2020, U.S. Embassy Praia has suspended routine consular services.  For emergency American Citizen Services, including emergency passports, please visit our website for additional information, or contact us at PraiaConsular@state.gov.

The Department of State has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory for COVID-19.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Global COVID-19 Outbreak Notice (“Avoid Nonessential Travel – Widespread Ongoing Transmission”).

Note:  This information will continue to be sent regularly for the benefit of new registrants in STEP.  Should you wish to stop receiving these updates, please send an email to PraiaConsular@state.gov requesting to be removed from STEP enrollment.

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By | 30 July, 2020 | Categories: Alert, Messages for U.S. Citizens, U.S. Citizen Services

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